Day: January 7, 2020

Hello Everyone!

Using our knowledge of simple machines, we will be building a Rube Goldberg machine! Before we begin, please do some investigation. On Rube Tube you can watch a variety of Rube Goldberg contraptions and get some ideas. You can also read about Rube Goldberg himself on this biographical website and on this Rube Goldberg resource.

Google “Rube Goldberg Cartoons” under images if you would like to see even more.

Consider the DESIGN PROCESS as you create your own contraption!

1. Ask a question – What task will your machine complete?
2. Imagine what you would do – Brainstorm ideas and watch Rube Tube.
3. Plan and consider materials – Make a draft in your journal and a list of supplies
4. Create something based on your plan – all day Friday or Monday
5. Reflect, make adjustments to improve, and document changes — Journal!
6. Present final product – Show it to Ms. D

Your contraption must use at least three simple machines. Documentation of all your building steps is a must! I will be marking both your journal and your final presentation, so even if your product is amazing, you need written observations. Even if the machine doesn’t work, you need to show evidence of having considered simple machines and be able to explain your process to me.

We will build the machines on Friday Jan. 10th during a large chunk of the day. Begin looking for ideas and materials from home. I have a lot of building supplies here, but if you need something specific, then please look at home. You shouldn’t need to buy anything new, so please focus on recyclables and toys you already have. The contraption does not need to be big, either, so consider we will have 12 groups working in our space at the same time!

One way to make your machine more interesting is to consider how it might tell a story. When you watch the OK Go video on Rube Tube, it is based on a song. How does it tell a story or have a message? Or is it a funny task it will complete?

The only thing I don’t have in the classroom are pulleys, so if you are thinking of having a pulley device, you have to construct it.

Have fun! I will provide a rubric for you for this activity in class that talks about your design process. While it would be great if your machine is successful, I am more interested in how you used the design process and simple machines to complete this task.

Ms. D

Hello Everyone,

As we finish our work on timelines showing how human innovations and technologies have changed over time, we are going to take a look at early tools used by First Peoples of the Pacific Northwest.

Canada’s First Peoples used many different tools and technologies that were important to their culture and for their survival. Some are still used today, whether in their original or an updated format. 

You will work with a partner to find out more about these early tools. Here are some websites you can use to do your research:

First Peoples of Canada

Canadian Geographic Atlas

Learning Portal Royal BC Museum

Learning Portal Timeline Royal BC Museum

First Peoples of BC Royal BC Museum

SD71 Comox Resources

Canadian Encyclopedia First Peoples

Pacific Northwest Artifacts

Burke Museum Coast Salish

First Nations Information, Museum of Anthropology

Map First Nations BC

Once we are done finding out more about the tools listed on your handout, you will choose one to do a short mini poster about. This will mean doing a bit more research on the item, beyond the websites I have provided. We are also going to be making spindle whorls for art. Did you find out what a spindle whorl is from your list of tools?

Ms. D